World Cup qualifiers, Group F: Portugal 1 (Neves 91) Rep of Ireland 0
After 91 minutes of complete dominance, Portugal finally, agonisingly, broke the Republic of Ireland’s steely resolve.
The goal came from a Rúben Neves header as the midfielder ghosted between exhausted Irish defenders to secure all three points and put Roberto Martinez’s side on track to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
If Portugal beat Hungary in Lisbon on Tuesday, and Ireland avoid defeat to Armenia in Dublin, they will win Group F with two matches to spare.
“Chest, Chest,” pleaded Dara O’Shea as Nathan Collins shooed the other Ireland players away from Slovak referee Ivan Kružliak.
There was 75 minutes on the clock when the match official signalled a penalty after O’Shea rushed out to block Francisco Trincao’s shot.
One replay looked like a hand ball, another angle looked like the it smacked the Ipswich centre-half’s chest.
The Dutch VAR Clay Ruperti backed his match official.
Cristiano Ronaldo reacts to a misse
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